Honoring veterans with flowers and connection
Samantha: 2023 Gold Award Girl Scout
Samantha spent the first 10 years of Girl Scouts as a member of the Hill Air Force Base troop before becoming a Juliette for the last three. She recently graduated from Davis High School and, thanks to concurrent enrollment courses, already has an Associates of Arts from Weber State University. Samantha is currently studying International Studies at the University of Utah.
During her senior year, she was voted by teammates to be captain of the high school swim team. Samantha was later hired to coach young kids swimming with the same team she grew up swimming on. She also volunteers with the Ed Kenley Amphitheater’s summer concerts.
Samantha comes from a military family: mom served in the Army and grandpa in the Air Force. After attending Wreaths Across America events at the Fort Douglas cemetery each winter since she was a Brownie, Samantha decided to connect with and honor those resting in the cemetery beyond the annual visits.
For several weeks, Samantha brought volunteers together to lay flowers on graves and learn more about the person they were honoring. What started as an effort to raise awareness about the cemetery turned into a way to connect with the soldiers and supporters who served their country. Samantha used social media and worked with volunteers, donors, and museum staff to raise awareness and support connection.
